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Monday, 30 April 2012

WILL POWER

Cllr Will Scobie has officially been named the next Mayor of Margate. At just 22-years-old, I'm pretty sure this makes Will one of the UK's youngest mayors, an achievement which could very well land him an entry into the Guinness Book of Records. Next thing we know he'll be juggling plates!

I would like to congratulate Will and wish him all the best. Mind you, this isn't the first time the Labour Party have bestowed mayoral duties on younger whippersnappers. According to the Daily Mirror, Labour's Ian Campbell was named Mayor despite being 23-years-old, so Will might just pip him to the post. Good for him, I say!

I see the Conservative opposition has already poured vitriol on the notion of Will being made Mayor, with Cllr Simon Moores hinging his argument on Will's lack of 'experience'. Is this the same lack of 'experience' that employers kept on telling me I didn't have, just because I happened to be young, I wonder? Stuff and nonsense! What really matters is diligence, and Will has that in droves. He deserves more courtesy than to be discredited simply because of his youth.

Since I know Will personally, I can vouch for him and say that he is probably one of the hardest-working local political campaigners I know. The amount of research he did into winning his Dane Valley seat – not to mention the amount of legwork he did knocking on doors – would be enough to drive some of his more senior colleagues to exhaustion. For that reason, the reward of being named Mayor is something that I think Will fully deserves.

I'm anticipating that some of you may snigger and say that making Will the Mayor is just a shallow publicity stunt. I completely disagree. Politicians are forever complaining that not enough young people are getting into politics. Like him or loathe him, that's exactly what Will has done. And who knows?! Seeing a young person in an esteemed position might even inspire other young people to follow suit. Here's hoping.

The role of the mayor is only ceremonial one and some towns have scrapped this ancient fawning position. Looks like Margate has just done the same. But I see that the TIG's have likened it to the Arab Spring. What a joke and insult to all those that have died for their democratic rights. Whoever made their blog posting need to brush up on world politics and even their spelling.

I would like to remind Anon that some of those who 'died for their democratic rights' were, in fact, younger than Will. So, on that note, I'd say Will has more of a reason to lay claim to the Margate mayorship than most, be it ceremonial or not. What's the harm in giving a young person a crack at modernising this 'ancient fawning tradition', as you describe it? This might just be the very breath of fresh air it needs.

Will has not even served in combat let alone died so you can hardly say his comparative age to our soldiers gives him any claim. One might almost argue that when he has done his bit and returned, then he might be more qualified.

As for Will modernising the role of mayor, I think that might be a tough call. It is about meeting up with other mayors at civic functions and representing Margate. Reckon he will be fawning with the best in next to no time.

Anyway, good luck to the young chap, but with friends like he has got in the TIG group I would sure hate to meet his enemies.

No Luke. this has nothing whatsover with dying for anything but everything to do with experience and qualification for the role.

Let's leave Will out of the picture for the moment and exercise a little rational argument here.

if you were applying for any job which held considerable civic responsibility would you expect the potential employer to seek some evidence of employment history, experience or indeed maturity?

If the answer to this question is "Yes" then why should Will Scobie prove an exception and if the answer is no then please explain why?

The role of Mayor of Margate is not a youth opportunities scheme or even an episode from 'The Apprentice.' The title of 'Your Worship' the Mayor actually has powerful connections with traditions and service which means something to a great many older people in Thanet; it's not a game or a joke or even a helpful leg-up for a political career but this is how it will be viewed by many people as a consequence of last night, which is sad for Will, who could have least waited for a year of public service before putting his name forward.

Put another way, would any other 22-year-old in Thanet be given this on a nod from the Labour group?

Moores and Worrow are proving themselves to be more and more alike; both make out they're intellectuals when they're often incredibly stupid, and both care more about one-upmanship than what's best for the people who pay their wages (maybe that's why they've never got along, as they're too similar). Only difference in this case is that one is biased towards it as he's young and (for the time being) left wing, and the other one biased away from it because he's old and right wing... and ironically they both have about as much chance as I do of ever becoming a Margate Mayor! Anyway, take it from my unbiased (middle-aged, politically moderate) self, Will is a good man for the job.

Simon, I don't mind disclosing that I myself have had conversations with Will in the past about the possibility of putting myself in the running to become a local councillor and enter local politics at some point. However, I did tell him that I would rather wait a few years so that a) I have a family b) I have a career and c) I have more all-round life experience.

My own personal view was that being slightly older and more worldly-wise would better help me relate to the constituents I'd hope to represent because I'd have more common ground with them (i.e. having worked in a 9-to-5 job to provide for my family, being financially independent, living under my own roof, not being reliant on parents, etc.).

So, in answer to your question, yes, I can see what you're saying with regards to such experience as that. However, in Will's case, he has already been elected as a councillor regardless of those considerations - the people have already made their decision about Will and, essentially, they liked what he stood for. In the end, the proof is in the pudding, not in how it is made.

Will has a passion and a commitment for local politics which far eclipses most people I've known, so I'd much rather someone with a genuine enthusiasm for politics be given the role rather than it be bestowed upon some elderly ex-businessman who's only stood for public office for the recognition and the kudos to keep them happy in their twilight years. At least Will believes he can make a genuine difference as a mayor. That, to me, is a good starting point.

Would you expect the England manager or even a local club football manager to have more than 11 months experience of professional football?

More importantly, perhaps, if Will had been a Conservative he would have been expected to have done rather more before we might have considered him for mayor, regardless of age or sex.

I ask you, if Will had been a Conservative candidate for Mayor would Labour councillors have approved him? I think not.

For the more astute readers, this is a visibly part of an accelerated box ticking exercise, councillor, mayor, probably a union job and then perhaps a trades union sponsorship on to the Labour candidates list. Anyone care to disagree? Good luck to him is all I can really say but let's not pretend it's more than it is.

We all knew that Simon had insecurity problems (hence the constant bragging about his achievements - real and imagined!), but I didn't realise he was quite so bitter until this whole Will thing started a week ago!

Peter, once you had some regard for Simon and his blog, even posted the odd complimentary comment from time to time, but since he banned you, you pop up everywhere rubbishing him at every opportunity. Think that speaks more volumes about your inadequacies than his.

He is, after all, a commercial pilot and district councillor whilst your claim to fame? Why, doorman at the Winter Garden and taker of a few nude photos. No contest I would say.

Iris has given her support to Will which is good enough for me - she is no ones fool.What an exciting time for Margate stop being a grumpy old man and be proud of our youth - support him, share your expertise, be a mentor, guide him ..... oh sorry I forgot your party lacks young people. I wonder why?

Who am I?

I'm a local blogger who offers views and opinion about local news, upcoming events, places to visit and things to do in Thanet. All opinions are mine and not those of my employer. Do feel free to e-mail me at thanetwaves@gmail.com.